Hello, and welcome back to our ongoing series breaking down the Kentucky football team! In our first installment, we covered the quarterbacks, and this time, we’re shifting our focus to the running backs. Unlike the quarterback position, which saw significant turnover, the backfield remains relatively stable. Let’s dive into the Kentucky post-portal depth chart for running backs.
### **A Much More Stable Group**
The Wildcats’ running back room is one of the most stable units on the team. Of the 23 players who left the program after the season-ending loss to Louisville, only one was a running back—and it was a notable departure. Chip Trayanum, who transferred from Ohio State with high expectations, was limited to just three games due to injury, rushing for 101 yards before returning to his home state to play for Toledo. Interestingly, Kentucky will open their 2025 season against Toledo. The Wildcats also lost Demie Sumo-Karngbaye, who has exhausted his eligibility.
### **Top of the Chart**
Heading into spring practice, Kentucky returns its leading rusher from 2024, Jamarion Wilcox. Wilcox appeared in all 12 games, rushing for 592 yards and two touchdowns. He had standout performances late in the season, including 102 yards against Tennessee and 123 yards against Murray State. However, Wilcox faced some unusual challenges, including issues with ball control and, oddly enough, his shoes. Head coach Mark Stoops revealed that Wilcox struggled to keep his shoes tied, often having to leave the field after big plays because they came off. Thankfully, that issue was resolved, and Wilcox saw more playing time as the season progressed.
### **A Newcomer to Watch**
Kentucky added just one running back through the transfer portal: Dante Dowdell, a 6-foot-2, 225-pound back from Nebraska. Dowdell originally signed with Oregon out of high school in Mississippi, where he rushed for 90 yards and a touchdown in six games as a freshman. After transferring to Nebraska, he led the team with 614 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in 2024, ranking fourth in the Big Ten. Dowdell was one of the league’s best short-yardage backs and ranked as the 10th-best running back in the transfer portal. He’s expected to share carries with Wilcox in a potential platoon situation.
### **Rounding Out the Depth Chart**
Kentucky enters spring practice with only four scholarship running backs. Jason Patterson, who played in four games as a freshman, is the third option. He showed promise early in the season, rushing for 45 yards against South Carolina and 38 yards against Auburn, but injuries limited his availability. The fourth back on the depth chart is Tovani Mizzell, a true freshman who had one rushing attempt for no yards in his only game action.
### **Final Thoughts**
Throughout Mark Stoops’ tenure at Kentucky, a strong running game has been a hallmark of his most successful teams. Stoops and offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan will aim to develop one—or even both—of their top backs into 1,000-yard rushers. A reliable ground attack will be crucial as the Wildcats look to rebound from last season’s disappointing 4-8 record.
Thanks for checking out our breakdown of Kentucky’s post-portal running back depth chart here at *Last Word On College Football*. Next up, we’ll examine a wide receiver room that has undergone significant changes this offseason.
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